MoCo Says Yes, We Want 'Em to I-270 HOT Lanes, Light Rail

Plan gives carpoolers something to cheer about

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Solo drivers would have to pay to drive on the reversible high-occupancy toll lanes on parts of Interstate 270, but not carpoolers, vans or buses.

The Montgomery County Council has endorsed a plan to add reversible high-occupancy toll lanes on parts of Interstate 270.

Solo commuters would have to pay to use the lanes endorsed unanimously in an informal vote on Tuesday, but carpools, vans and buses could travel on them for free. The proposal would widen the interstate north of Route 124 from three lanes in each direction.

The majority of the council also endorsed the building of the more expensive Light Rail over a bus rapid transit system. The rail would run along the proposed Corridor Cities Transitway from Shady Grove to Clarksburg.

Council member Marc Elrich (D-At Large) had been pushing for the bus system.

"I can match the speed of Light Rail. I can match the number of passengers of Light Rail. I can do it for half the cost of Light Rail," he told News4.

The council is expected to formally endorse the positions next Tuesday, but state officials will have the final say on what's done along I-270.